“A Chorus Line” a Mirror to Indianapolis Theatre

Attention actors, dancers and singers! Heartache, hardship, small successes and chasing the dream are all part of your game. Now, see your story told, live, on stage in Broadway’s smash hit A Chorus Line. Clowes Memorial Hall, on Butler University’s campus, sets the stage for A Chorus Line April 20 to 25, holding a mirror to Indianapolis theatre. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Go inside the triumphs and failures of the all important audition for a Broadway chorus line.

An empty theatre, a bare stage and the dreams of a few struggling dancers set the scene for this popular Broadway show. Casting for the newest Broadway musical is only complete, as the director focuses on finding a strong chorus of dancers to fill out the chorus line. The field has been narrowed down to just seventeen dancers. For these men and women, it is the chance of a lifetime. For years, they have worked themselves to the bone. Every drop of sweat and every hour of training has led them to this one moment, and the chance to be on Broadway. Though they aren’t stars, they are the glue that holds the show together. To get the job means proof that they are meant to live this life.

Before the final cut is made, the director, Zach, will delve deep into their psyche to discover who has what’s needed for the part. Simple questions like name, age, hometown and reason for being a dancer soon give way to more probing inquiries about their families, friends, lovers, ambition and career. One at a time, they share their lives. Some are shy and reluctant, but some welcome the inquisition like an open book. All share their inner most thoughts and desires in the hopes that they will be selected to dance on stage in front of an audience.

Seventeen dancers will slowly, but surely be narrowed down to eight, who will be the members of A Chorus Line. This dramatic musical offers insight into just how difficult show business can be, and reveals the length to which performers will go to get the job. It is about passion, about dedication and, above all, about chasing your dreams.

A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 at The Shubert Theatre. It was an instant success. A Chorus Line was nominated for twelve and won nine Tony Awards in 1976. This celebrated musical was even given the Pulitzer Prize for Drama that same year. In 1983, it became the longest running show on Broadway (prior to CATS) with 3389 performances. It closed in 1990. Its final performance was number 6,137, a record at the time.

In 2006, the musical was revived on Broadway. It played the Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City, and won two Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. Later that same year, the national tour began in Denver. It has been going strong ever since.

Don’t miss your chance to take part in a piece of Broadway history this week at Clowes Memorial Hall. With songs like, “I Hope I Get It,” “What I Did For Love” and of course “One,” this fantastic story gets to the heart of the hardest business around. Catch this Indianapolis performing arts event on the campus of Butler University, one of the largest Indiana colleges or universities, through Sunday, April 25.